Jigsaw puzzle with almost infinite solutions

ABSTRACT

A jigsaw puzzle characterized of being made up of preferably 25 square pieces ( 8, 9, 10, 11 ) that are to be arranged in a certain formation where a 5×5 square ( 6 ) is obtained by placing all of the 25 square pieces ( 8, 9, 10, 11 ) in a certain formation, where in the jigsaw puzzle ( 6 ) has five different patterns ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ) allowing each of the 25 square pieces ( 8, 9, 10, 11 ) to be played uniquely in reaching a solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jigsaw puzzle, and more particularly to a jigsaw puzzle that has almost infinite solutions. The jigsaw puzzle of the present invention encourages players' creativity and imagination by providing different solutions each time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The known typical picture jigsaw puzzles provide a single or a very limited number of solutions to the player and/or players. Since the typical picture jigsaw puzzles provide a single or a very limited number of solutions to the player and/or players the enthusiasm of the players to play repeated times of the same puzzle may be diminished. The limitation of providing a single or a very limited number of solutions to the player and/or players is a shortcoming of the prior art. The present invention aims to overcome this shortcoming by providing a picture puzzle system that has almost infinite solutions. The present invention provides a system where every time player and/or players complete the puzzle in each case a different solution is reached. Therefore one object of the invention is to provide the player the opportunity to play repeatedly without loosing the enthusiasm of playing the puzzle game.

The jigsaw puzzle of the present invention is also desirable as an educational tool since encourages players' creativity and imagination by providing different solutions each time. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a puzzle that requires creativity and imagination that is useful for educational purposes.

The known typical picture jigsaw puzzles provide a level of complexity that corresponds to a certain specific age groups such as adult level, children level or more specific age group levels. The known typical picture puzzles depending on the level of its complexity focus on a single specific group. The limitation of providing a specific complexity level is another shortcoming of the prior art that the present invention provides a solution. The present invention provides a picture puzzle that deliver various levels of complexity that may be played by children and adults alike without being limited to a specific age group. It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide a puzzle allowing for various levels of complexity in one puzzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a particular puzzle piece divided into two equal parts;

FIG. 2 shows a particular puzzle piece divided into two unequal parts;

FIG. 3 shows a particular puzzle piece divided into three parts;

FIG. 4 shows a particular puzzle piece divided into four equal parts;

FIG. 5 shows a sample numbered solution;

FIG. 6 shows another sample numbered solution;

FIG. 7 shows a sample solution with a particular pattern;

FIG. 8 shows another sample solution of the same pattern of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows another sample solution with a different particular pattern;

FIG. 10 shows another sample solution of the same pattern of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of the present invention is described herewith with references to the drawings. The jigsaw puzzle (6) game of this invention that will be referred to as Rebuzzi puzzle (6) henceforth is made up of preferably 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) each being equal in size to each other. Five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) are used in every Rebuzzi puzzle (6) game. Although there are five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in a specific jigsaw puzzle (6) game, each of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) can be played uniquely in reaching a solution.

For each set of pieces in this jigsaw puzzle system, there are patterns. The patterns may vary in design and color. The jigsaw puzzle (6) of this invention allows using these patterns as a guideline whereby the individual playing the game has the possibility to create almost an infinite number of designs.

As shown in FIG. 1, ten of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) are divided into two parts with two equal areas. That is to say a square piece that is divided into two equal parts (8) has two pattern fields (8 a, 8 b). The said two equal pattern fields (8 a, 8 b) each have two equal areas of ½ (8 a) and ½ (8 b) of a square piece that is divided into two equal parts (8). Each of the two equal fields (8 a, 8 b) displays a different pattern chosen from the five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the specific jigsaw puzzle (6) game. Nevertheless, though each of the two equal fields (8 a, 8 b) displays a different pattern, any one pattern of any one field will have the same matching pattern of at least one pattern field of another square piece (9, 10, 11).

As shown in FIG. 2, five of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) are divided into two unequal parts. A square piece that is divided into two unequal parts (9) has two unequal pattern fields (9 a, 9 b). The said two unequal pattern fields (9 a, 9 b) each have two unequal areas of ¼ (9 a) and ¾ (9 b) of a square piece that is divided into two unequal parts (9). Each of the two unequal fields (9 a, 9 b) displays a different pattern chosen from the five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the specific puzzle (6) game system. Nevertheless, though each of the two unequal fields (9 a, 9 b) displays a different pattern, any one pattern of any one field will have the same matching pattern of at least one pattern field of another square piece (8, 10, 11).

As shown in FIG. 3, five of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) are divided into three parts making up three pattern fields. A square piece that is divided into three parts (10) has one unequal pattern field (10 a) and two equal pattern fields (10 b, 10 c). The area of the said one unequal pattern field (10 a) of a square piece that is divided into three parts (10) is equal to ½ of the square piece that is divided into two equal parts (8). Each area of the said two equal parts (10 b, 10 c) of a square piece that is divided into three parts (10) is equal to ¼ of the square piece. Each of the one unequal part (10 a) and two equal parts (10 b, 10 c) of the square piece that is divided into three parts (10) displays a different pattern chosen from the five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the specific puzzle (6) game. Nevertheless, though each of the fields (10 a, 10 b, 10 c) displays a different pattern, any one pattern of any one field will have the same matching pattern of at least one pattern field of another square piece (8, 9, 11).

As shown in FIG. 4, five of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) are divided into four equal parts (11). That is to say a square piece that is divided into four equal parts (11) has four equal pattern fields (11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d). The said four equal pattern fields (11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d) each have four equal areas of ¼ (11 a), ¼ (11 b), ¼ (11 c) and ¼ (11 d) of the square piece. Each field of a square piece that is divided into four equal parts (11) displays a different pattern chosen from the five different colors and/or patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the specific jigsaw puzzle (6) game. Nevertheless, though each of the fields (11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d) displays a different pattern, any one pattern of any one field will have the same matching pattern of at least one pattern field of another square piece (8, 9, 10).

The jigsaw puzzle (6) game of this invention has the aim of reaching a solution where a 5×5 square (6) is obtained by placing all of the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) in a certain formation. The solution to the Rebuzzi puzzle (6) requires that the 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 11) when placed in a certain formation whereby the patterns at the adjacent sides of the square pieces should match each other forming a unique design.

Since the patterns of for each set of pieces in this puzzle system may vary in design and color. The jigsaw puzzle (6) game system of this invention allows using these patterns of varying design and color as a guideline whereby the individual playing the game has the possibility to create infinite number of designs.

The jigsaw puzzle (6) game system of this invention that has been described as being made up of 25 square peaces (8, 9, 10, 11). However, the description of the embodiments of the puzzle (6) composed of 25 square pieces (8, 9, 10, 112) where a 5×5 square is obtained is not meant to be a limitation in itself. The jigsaw puzzle (6) game of this invention that has been described can also be applied as having 16 square pieces when 4×4 square is obtained, or as having 36 square pieces where 6×6 square is obtained, or as having 49 square pieces where 7×7 square is obtained, or as having 64 square pieces where 8×8 square is obtained. In other words, the number of square pieces may be increased to obtain larger square depending on their manageability.

The pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are made from a material varying from compressed paper, to cardboard, or wood or plastic and their surfaces are laminated for protection. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus having 25 square pieces such that when all pieces are assembled together a 5×5 square is obtained by placing all of the 25 square pieces in a certain formation to display a specific design, illustration, or picture, or of their combination, wherein the jigsaw puzzle apparatus: a) is composed of four sub-sets from twenty five specific square pieces where three of the sub-sets include 5 square pieces each and one of the sub-sets include ten square pieces; such b) that where the face surfaces of the square pieces of each sub-set are arranged so that the face surface of each square piece of the same sub-set is arranged to be partitioned in predetermined proportions into distinct specific pattern regions wherein each square piece of the same sub-set is disposed to have the exact proportional partitioning that is identical with the other square pieces of the same sub-set and wherein the proportions of the partitioned face surfaces of the square pieces belonging to the same one sub-set are disposed to be different from the proportions of the partitions displayed on the surface faces of the square pieces belonging to the other sub-sets, such that each sub-set displays its own predetermined proportional partitioned distinct specific pattern regions; and c) that the pattern regions of the square pieces of each sub-set having the same predetermined pattern regions are disposed to display a portion of a pattern from five different predetermined pattern portions in specific predetermined combinations where any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to at least one pattern region displaying the same pattern portion by another square piece belonging to the other sub-sets of the puzzle; wherein these said specific characteristics as predetermined on the surfaces of the square pieces provide the technical feature that will technically enable each of the 25 square pieces to be assembled uniquely and achieve a unique result in each assembly.
 16. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the pattern regions on the face surfaces of the square pieces of each sub-set having the same predetermined pattern regions are disposed to display a portion of a color from five different colors and/or combination of colors and patterns of specific design, illustration or picture or of their combination thereof.
 17. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the ten pieces of the 25 square pieces is a sub-set wherein the face surfaces of the square pieces of the sub-set are partitioned in exact proportions into two regions forming a square piece with two equal pattern regions of equal size, namely the each region having an area of ½ and ½ of a square piece the face surface of which is partitioned into two equal regions.
 18. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, in the sub-set that include the square pieces that are partitioned in exact proportions into two equal pattern regions, each of the two equal pattern regions displays a specific portion of the design chosen from the five different color or pattern portions and that the pattern portions are disposed on the pattern regions in specific predetermined combinations, the specific combination being that on the first square piece one pattern region displays pattern portion no. 1 and the other pattern region display pattern portion no. 2 as a ‘8 a-1/8 b-2’ combination, and on the remaining square pieces of the sub-set the other specific combinations are that second square piece as ‘8 a-1/8 b-3’, third square piece as ‘8 a-1/8 b-4’, fourth square piece as ‘8 a-1/8 b-5’, fifth square piece as ‘8 a-2/8 b-3’, sixth square piece as ‘8 a-2/8 b-4’, seventh square piece as ‘8 a-2/8 b-5’, eighth square piece as ‘8 a-3/8 b-4’, ninth square piece as ‘8 a-3/8 b-5’, and tenth square piece as ‘8 a-4/8 b-5’ combinations respectively; wherein any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to at least one pattern region displaying the same pattern portion by another square piece belonging to the other sub-sets of the puzzle.
 19. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein five of the 25 square pieces is a sub-set wherein the face surfaces of the square pieces of the sub-set are partitioned in exact proportions into two unequal regions forming a square piece with two unequal pattern regions where one pattern region is ¼ of the total area of the face surface of the square piece and the other pattern region is ¾ of the total area of the face surface of the square piece the face surface of which is partitioned into two unequal regions.
 20. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, in the sub-set that include the square pieces that are partitioned in exact proportions into two unequal pattern regions, each of the two unequal pattern regions displays a specific portion of the design chosen from the five different color or pattern portions and that the pattern portions are disposed on the pattern regions in specific predetermined combinations, the specific combination being that on the first square piece the pattern region displays pattern portion no. 1 and the other pattern region display pattern portion no. 5 as a ‘9 a-1/9 b-5’ combination, and on the remaining square pieces of the sub-set the other specific combinations are that second square piece as ‘9 a-2/9 b-4’, third square piece as ‘9 a-3/9 b-1’, fourth square piece as ‘9 a-4/9 b-3’, and fifth square piece as ‘9 a-5/9 b-2’, combinations respectively; wherein any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to at least one pattern region displaying the same pattern portion by another square piece belonging to the other sub-sets of the puzzle.
 21. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein five of the 25 square pieces is a sub-set wherein the face surfaces of the square pieces of the sub-set are partitioned in exact proportions into three regions forming a square piece that has one unequal pattern region and two equal pattern regions, wherein the area of the one unequal part of a square piece that is partitioned into three regions is equal to ½ of the total face surface area of the square piece and wherein each area of the two equal pattern regions of the square piece is equal to ¼ of the total area of the face surface of the square piece the face surface of which is partitioned into three regions.
 22. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 21, wherein, in the sub-set that include the square pieces that are partitioned in exact proportions into one unequal pattern region and two equal pattern regions, each of the three pattern regions displays a specific portion of the design chosen from the five different color or pattern portions and that the pattern portions are disposed on the pattern regions in specific predetermined combinations, the specific combination being that on the first square piece the pattern region displays pattern portion no. 1 and the other two pattern regions display pattern portions no. 4 and no. 5 respectively as a ‘10 a-1/10 b-4/10 c-5’ combination, and on the remaining square pieces of the sub-set the other specific combinations are that second square piece as ‘10 a-4/10 b-2/10 c-3’, third square piece as ‘10 a-2/10 b-5/10 c-1’, fourth square piece as ‘10 a-3/10 b-2/10 c-1’, and fifth square piece as ‘10 a-5/10 b-4/10 c-3’ combinations respectively; wherein any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to at least one pattern region displaying the same pattern portion by another square piece belonging to the other sub-sets of the puzzle.
 23. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein five of the 25 square pieces is a sub-set wherein the face surfaces of the square pieces of the sub-set are partitioned in exact proportions into four equal triangle regions forming a square piece that has four triangular pattern regions wherein each pattern region has an area equal to ¼ of the total area of the face surface of square piece the face surface of which is partitioned into four triangular regions.
 24. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, in the sub-set that include the square pieces that are partitioned in exact proportions into four pattern regions, each of the four pattern regions displays a specific portion of the design chosen from the five different color or pattern portions and that the color or design portions are disposed on the pattern regions in the specific predetermined combinations, the specific combination being that on the first square piece the pattern region displays pattern portion no. 1 and the other three pattern regions display pattern portions no. 2 no. 5 and no. 4 respectively as a ‘11 a-2/11 b-5/11 c-4/11 d-1’ combination, and on the remaining square pieces of the sub-set the other specific combinations are that second square piece as ‘11 a-2/11 b-3/11 c-1/11 d-5’, third square piece as ‘11 a-5/11 b-1/11 c-4/11 d-3’, fourth square piece as ‘11 a-3/11 b-2/11 c-4/11 d-5’, and fifth square piece as ‘11 a-4/11 b-2/11 c-1/11 d-3’ combinations respectively; wherein any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to at least one pattern region displaying the same pattern portion by another square piece belonging to the other sub-sets of the puzzle.
 25. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the different colors and/or patterns of the jigsaw puzzle may be of any specific design, illustration or picture and of their combination.
 26. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, whereby each of the 25 square pieces of the square pieces is to be assembled into a configuration by placing square pieces adjacently so that any one pattern portion of any one region will be displaying the same matching pattern portion corresponding to the pattern region with the same corresponding design region displaying the same pattern portion of the other square piece that is placed adjacently; and therefore technically enabling each of the 25 square pieces to be assembled uniquely each time, wherein if and when the place of particular square is re-positioned in a different configuration so that after such a re-positioning of the square piece its pattern region shall achieve a position that is adjacent with the matching pattern region of another square piece that is actually different from the previously adjacent square piece wherein assembling a new configuration becomes possible whereby and in effect a new puzzle is obtained.
 27. A jigsaw puzzle apparatus according to claim 15, wherein 16 square pieces are to be arranged in a certain formation where a 4×4 square is obtained, or 36 square pieces are to be arranged in a certain formation where a 6×6 square is obtained, or 49 square pieces are to be arranged in a certain formation where a 7×7 square is obtained, or 64 square pieces are to be arranged in a certain formation where a 8×8 square is obtained. 